Winter’s here in the Tri-Cities are usually nicely mild, but on the unusual year, such as this past week, we can get a dandy ice & snow combination to deal with. When the temperature dips to the teens and single digits, it’s a good idea to check on the pipes in your home periodically.
If you find any pipes frozen, or getting close, there are many safe ways to prevent a burst and the resulting flood. Even if a frozen pipe is already damaged, you can save money and trouble by thawing it and turning off the water before a plumber can get there to help you.
The key is to turn off the water. As a result, the damaged pipe can leak only the water in the pipe. The real damage from a burst pipe comes from the free flow which can create a mess from puddles to ponds in your home.
Here are some tips for safely thawing frozen pipes. Safety is a major issue because home fires can come as a result of people trying to thaw pipes with the wrong equipment.
* Thaw the pipes as quickly as possible after you discover they are frozen.
* Leave the main water supply valve open. Incoming water pressure will help remove loosened ice.
* Start at the faucet when thawing and work towards the source.
* Try to use one of these six safe methods to safely thaw a pipe:
1. An electric iron provides the most concentrated heat to thaw a pipe. You should lash the iron to the pipe with wire (never use combustible materials such as rope or string). Move the iron down the pipe as the thawing begins. Be careful not to touch the heated areas of the pipe. Also, if the pipe is made from synthetic materials like PVC, make sure to keep an eye on the pipe for melting.
2. An electric hair dryer is great to blow warm air directly on the suspected frozen area. It is safer than an iron, but not as effective. Also, you have to hold the hair dryer and work it up and down the affected area.
3. An infrared heat lamp focused directly on the suspected frozen area works well. For added efficiency, place a piece of sheet metal or aluminum foil behind the pipe while heating. Again, this can be dangerous if the lamp is not securely fastened.
4. A soldering iron may be useful where an electric iron won’t fit. You can lash this to the pipe in the same way you would lash an iron. Use extreme caution when handling the pipe after it’s been heated.
5. Wrap a heating cable around the pipe in the suspected frozen area. Use extreme caution not to allow the cords to come into contact with water.
6. Pour boiling water on the pipe after wrapping rags around the suspected frozen area. This method is slow and messy and may take many gallons of water. And boiling water can cause serious burns. Be extremely careful when transporting and pouring boiling water. This method is safer because no power source is used and there is little threat of fire, but still be careful of boiling water spills.
It is never safe to use a blow torch to thaw frozen pipes, and officials report this is the most common cause of fires when trying to thaw pipes.
Information excerpted from www.prepared.org, an American Red Cross website.
This winter the Tri-Cities has had some very cold weather, so it is good to know.